US Senate

Topic: U.S. Incarceration Chair: Adora LeiDirector: Nikhita Athipathy

Committee Description:The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate of any country with a prison rate of approximately 724 people per 100,000. Compared to the rates of the country’s allies in Europe and that of China, the U.S. still racks up a population of over 2 million imprisoned in state and federal prisons. This mock U.S. Senate committee covers the various issues that root in the American incarceration and justice system.

Some blame the 1980’s War on Drugs for the dramatic growth in incarceration and argue that harsh penalties on drugs is a direct cause of unnecessary jail populations. Some also highlight the supposed socioeconomic factors and the involvement of race in incarceration and the disproportionate imprisonment rates among African American and Hispanic communities. Others believe that the focus should be placed on reduction of recidivism and the continuance of law enforcement and mental health treatment to prevent violent offenders from endangering American streets. Of course, with the discussion of incarceration also comes the topic of capital punishment and whether it is within the constitutional and moral right of the state to issue the death penalty.

Delegates will be expected to represent states in the U.S. and argue their respective points relating to American incarceration on a variety of topics including drugs, race relations, recidivism, and death penalty. Delegates will need to work diplomatically and together to resolve the issues while keeping in mind differing perspectives.

Adora Lei is currently a Senior at the Ashland High School. She was introduced to Model UN in the middle of her sophomore year when she helped form the club at AHS. Since then, she has fallen in love with Model UN and is the Director of External Affairs/Public Relations.

​Outside of MUN, Adora is also the Community Service Coordinator for her high school's National Honors Society and the Public Relations officer for the Robotics Club. She enjoys grabbing a bite (typically burgers) with friends, drawing, and debating! She plans on majoring in Political Science on the pre-law track.

Adora is excited for a day of lively and fruitful debate and is looking forward to seeing unique policies!